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There are many ways to describe Michelle Obama: wife, mother, first lady and recently powerful political orator. But there is one phrase at which she continues to balk – future president.

Her stirring speeches on the campaign trail for Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton refueled rumors that Obama, more adept at harnessing a crowd's emotions than Clinton herself, would seek a life in politics. But the former first lady has said repeatedly she's not interested in politics, despite the continual clamor of fans asking whether she will make a 2020 presidential run.

“I will not run for president. No, no, not gonna do it,” Obama said over disappointed groans from the crowd at the South by Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas last year.

Her husband too has fielded the question, saying last year at a town hall in Baton Rouge "There are three things that are certain in life: Death, taxes and Michelle is not running for president."

The idea of a first lady “having a real job” after leaving the White House is a fairly recent phenomenon, said John Pitney Jr., a politics professor at Claremont McKenna College. But at age 53, Obama is relatively young and likely to have many working years ahead of her.

Pitney said if she wanted to pursue a career in politics, “the door would be wide open.” But that doesn't necessarily mean the presidency. The question instead is: What would she run for and in what state?

“As Hillary Clinton proved, it’s not hard to establish residency in a state in which you have no real roots. So, yeah, if she wanted to run in California they could rent a condo in Rancho Cucamonga and establish residency,” Pitney said.

Rumors have swirled for years that the Obamas are looking to purchase – or already have purchased – property in Thunderbird Heights in Rancho Mirage where they’ve stayed several times with ambassador to Spain James Costos and interior designer Michael Smith. Former President Gerald Ford also made his home in that community before his death in 2006.

Should the Obamas purchase property in California, many have pointed fingers at long-time Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s seat. Feinstein’s term ends in 2018, at which time the state’s senior senator will be 85. In 2014 when the question first arose, representatives for Obama told numerous news organizations that she would not seek any senate seat, much less Feinstein’s.

A representative for Feinstein’s office said recently that the senator “has yet to decide if she will run for reelection.”

Obama has continued to say that she will not run for political office since emerging early on in Barack Obama’s presidency as a popular figure. Those in the know – and some not so much in the know – seem to believe her.

Desert Sun File Photo
First lady Michelle Obama accompanied President Barack Obama in June 2014. First lady Michelle Obama accompanied President Barack Obama on a trip to the Coachella Valley in June 2014, but is in the desert without him this time around. She arrived Friday, officials say.(Photo: Desert Sun File Photo)

“I don’t think she’s going to run for office,” said Kate Andersen Brower, former White House correspondent and author of “First Women: The Grace and Power of America’s Modern First Ladies.”

Brower said she gets the feeling from conversations with White House staff members that Michelle Obama is more than happy to be stepping out of the political limelight.

“I get the sense that she appreciated the opportunity, but I think the sacrifices are big,” Brower said. “I’ve talked to people recently about her leaving and they say that while she is very worried about her husband’s legacy, she also is relieved.”

Before assuming the role of first lady, the Harvard Law School graduate was on her own path to a bright career. She was a successful attorney and an executive vice president for the University of Chicago Medical Center, according to the National First Ladies’ Library. Giving that up was frustrating to the self-proclaimed "mom-in-chief," Brower said. But Obama has grown gracefully into her role at the White House, channeling her energies into her Let's Move! healthy eating initiative, supporting military families and advocating for increased access to education both in the U.S. and around the world.

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There was a time when the first lady of the United States rarely made news, but as Obama exits the White House for the last time on Jan. 20 she has become a newsmaker in her own right. “She is probably the most mediagenic first lady we have ever had, and that’s very important in today’s society and in today’s politics,” said Sherry Bebitch Jeffe, political analyst and professor at the University of Southern California's Sol Price School of Public Policy.

Jeffe points, as an example, to Obama’s social media use and her willingness to appear on late night talk shows, to sit down with pop culture icons like Oprah and Ellen Degeneres and to bring a sense of humor into her position that resonates with the public.

“Certainly Michelle has a calm around her,” Jeffe said. “She’s able to reach out via television, which is so important, and via social media.”

Whether she wants to continue pushing her education and health initiatives in the nonprofit world, return to a law career or take to politics, the possibilities for Obama are endless, Jeffe said.

“If I were she, and I’m leaving the White House after eight years, I’d be drinking a margarita on some beach and not even thinking about the next move,” Jeffe joked. “It will come. It will. She’ll know when she’s ready to know.”

Air Force One flies over Rancho Mirage as seen from the corner of Frank Sinatra and Bob Hope before President Barack Obama's summit at the Sunnylands estate with China leader Xi Jinping on Friday, June 7, 2013. Crystal Chatham/The Desert Sun

Onlookers watch Air Force One land at Palm Springs International Airport on Friday, June 7, 2013. President Obama is meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping at Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage. (Richard Lui The Desert Sun) Richard Lui The Desert Sun Richard Lui/The Desert Sun

One of the two presidential limousine that President Obama is riding in on Gene Autry Trail in Palm Springs after he landed in Air Force One at Palm Springs International Airport Friday June 7, 2013. President Obama will meet with the President of China Xi Jinping in Rancho Mirage. Wade Byars/The Desert Sun

President Obama's motored on Gene Autry Trail in Palm Springs after he landed in Air Force One at Palm Springs International Airport Friday June 7, 2013. President Obama will meet with the president of China Xi Jinping in Rancho Mirage. Wade Byars/The Desert Sun

President Barack Obama sits across the table from Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Annenberg Retreat at Sunnylands as they meet for talks Friday, June 7, 2013, in Rancho Mirage, Calif. Seeking a fresh start to a complex relationship, the two leaders are retreating to the sprawling desert estate for two days of talks on high-stakes issues, including cybersecurity and North Korea's nuclear threats. Evan Vucci AP

President Barack Obama welcomes Chinese President Xi Jinping to the Annenberg Retreat at Sunnylands for bilateral meetings on Friday, June 7, 2013, in Rancho Mirage, Calif. Seeking a fresh start to a complex relationship, President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping are retreating to a sprawling desert estate for two days of talks on high-stakes issues, including cybersecurity and North Korea's nuclear threats. Evan Vucci AP

President Barack Obama, right, meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Annenberg Retreat at Sunnylands Friday, June 7, 2013, in Rancho Mirage, Calif. Seeking a fresh start to a complex relationship, the leaders are retreating to a sprawling desert estate for two days of talks on high-stakes issues, including cybersecurity and North Korea's nuclear threats. Evan Vucci AP

President Barack Obama, right, meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Annenberg Retreat at Sunnylands Friday, June 7, 2013, in Rancho Mirage, Calif. Seeking a fresh start to a complex relationship, the leaders are retreating to a sprawling desert estate for two days of talks on high-stakes issues, including cybersecurity and North Korea's nuclear threats. Evan Vucci AP

President Barack Obama, left, walks with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Annenberg Retreat at Sunnylands on Saturday, June 8, 2013, in Rancho Mirage, Calif. President Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping are retreating to a sprawling desert estate for two days of talks on high-stakes issues, including cybersecurity and North Korea's nuclear threats. Evan Vucci AP

President Barack Obama, right, walks with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Annenberg Retreat of the Sunnylands estate Saturday, June 8, 2013, in Rancho Mirage, Calif. Obama and Xi opened their second day of talks with a staged walk for the press with Obama telling reporters the meetings have been "terrific." Evan Vucci AP

FILE - In this Friday, June 7, 2013, file photo, President Barack Obama poses with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Annenberg Retreat at Sunnylands as they meet for talks in Rancho Mirage, Calif. Evan Vucci AP

President Barack Obama, right, walks with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Annenberg Retreat at Sunnylands on Saturday, June 8, 2013, in Rancho Mirage, Calif. Obama and Xi are wrapping up a two-day summit at which they tackled the contentious issue of cybersecurity and tried to forge closer ties between the leaders of the world's largest economies. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Evan Vucci AP

President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, walk at the Annenberg Retreat of the Sunnylands estate Saturday, June 8, 2013, in Rancho Mirage, Calif. Obama told reporters his meetings with Xi have been "terrific." The issue of cyber security Obama said it was critical that the U.S. and China reach a "firm understanding." Evan Vucci AP

President Barack Obama waves from the doorway of Air Force One at Palm Springs International Airport on Sunday as he leaves Southern California following a weekend summit at Sunnylands with President Xi Jinping of China. Crystal Chatham/The Desert Sun
President Barack Obama waves from the doorway of Air Force One at Palm Springs International Airport on Sunday, June 9, 2013 to leave Southern California following a weekend summit at Sunnylands with President Xi Jinping of China. The aircraft is one of two VC-25A U.S. Air Force models of the Boeing 747-200B and specifically configured for Presidential transport. The aircraft stands 63 ft. tall and stretches 231 feet long with a 195 ft. wingspan. When a sitting president is not on board, this particular aircraft is known by the call sign SAM 29000. Crystal Chatham/The Desert Sun Crystal Chatham/The Desert Sun Crystal Chatham/The Desert Sun

Law enforcement personnel watch through binoculars as Air Force One is positioned at Palm Springs International Airport on Sunday, June 9, 2013 before President Barack Obama arrives to leave Southern California following a weekend summit at Sunnylands with President Xi Jinping of China. Crystal Chatham/The Desert Sun Crystal Chatham/The Desert Sun

One of two presidential limousines arrives with the motorcade to Air Force One positioned at Palm Springs International Airport on Sunday, June 9, 2013 for President Barack Obama's departure from Southern California following a weekend summit at Sunnylands with President Xi Jinping of China. Crystal Chatham/The Desert Sun Crystal Chatham/The Desert Sun

President Barack Obama arrives at Air Force One positioned at Palm Springs International Airport on Sunday, June 9, 2013 to depart from Southern California following a weekend summit at Sunnylands with President Xi Jinping of China. Crystal Chatham/The Desert Sun Crystal Chatham/The Desert Sun

The presidential motorcade arrives as Air Force One is positioned at Palm Springs International Airport on Sunday, June 9, 2013 for President Barack Obama to leave Southern California following a weekend summit at Sunnylands with President Xi Jinping of China. Crystal Chatham/The Desert Sun Crystal Chatham/The Desert Sun

The presidential seal is seen on Air Force One positioned at Palm Springs International Airport on Sunday, June 9, 2013 as President Barack Obama prepares to leave Southern California following a weekend summit at Sunnylands with President Xi Jinping of China. Crystal Chatham/The Desert Sun Crystal Chatham/The Desert Sun

Dust and sand is kicked up from engine blast as Air Force One taxis to the end of the runway with President Barack Obama on board at Palm Springs International Airport on Sunday, June 9, 2013 to depart Southern California following a weekend summit at Sunnylands with President Xi Jinping of China. Crystal Chatham/The Desert Sun Crystal Chatham/The Desert Sun

President Barack Obama waves from the doorway of Air Force One at Palm Springs International Airport on Sunday, June 9, 2013 to leave Southern California following a weekend summit at Sunnylands with President Xi Jinping of China. Crystal Chatham/The Desert Sun Crystal Chatham/The Desert Sun

Air Force One takes off at Palm Springs International Airport on Sunday, June 9, 2013 as President Barack Obama departs Southern California following a weekend summit at Sunnylands with President Xi Jinping of China. Crystal Chatham/The Desert Sun Crystal Chatham/The Desert Sun

Air Force One is positioned at Palm Springs International Airport on Sunday, June 9, 2013 as President Barack Obama prepares to leave Southern California following a weekend summit at Sunnylands with President Xi Jinping of China. The aircraft is one of two VC-25A U.S. Air Force models of the Boeing 747-200B and specifically configured for Presidential transport. The aircraft stands 63 ft. tall and stretches 231 feet long with a 195 ft. wingspan. When a sitting president is not on board, this particular aircraft is known by the call sign SAM 29000. Crystal Chatham/The Desert Sun Crystal Chatham/The Desert Sun

Flight crew member Air Force Master Sgt. Rob Hewitt checks the rolling stairwell that buts up against Air Force One during preparations at Palm Springs International Airport on Sunday, June 9, 2013 for President Barack Obama to leave Southern California following a weekend summit at Sunnylands with President Xi Jinping of China. Crystal Chatham/The Desert Sun Crystal Chatham/The Desert Sun

People wait at Gene Autry and Ramon as President Barack Obama motorcades to Palm Springs International Airport Sunday, June 9, 2013 following 2 days of meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping at Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage CA. Michael Snyder/The Desert Sun Michael Snyder/The Desert Sun

People line south Gene Autry Trail as President Barack Obama's motorcade arrives at Palm Springs International Airport Sunday, June 9, 2013 following 2 days of meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping at Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage CA. Michael Snyder/The Desert Sun Michael Snyder/The Desert Sun

Air Force One sits on the tarmac at Palm Springs International Airport awaiting President Barack Obama. Michael Snyder/The Desert Sun
Air Force One sits on the tarmac at Palm Springs International Airport Sunday, June 9, 2013 awaiting the arrival of President Barack Obama following 2 days of meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping at Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage CA. Michael Snyder/The Desert Sun Michael Snyder/The Desert Sun

Air Force One lifts off as President Barack Obama leaves from Palm Springs International Airport June 9, 2013 following 2 days of meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping at Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage. Michael Snyder/MyDesert
Air Force One lifts off as President Barack Obama leaves from Palm Springs International Airport Sunday, June 9, 2013 following 2 days of meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping at Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage CA. Michael Snyder/The Desert Sun Michael Snyder/The Desert Sun

President Barack Obama and Senator Barbara Boxer arrive at Palm Springs International Airport, February 14, 2014. The President is to meet with Jordan's King Abdullah II at the Sunnylands Estate this weekend. Michael Snyder/The Desert Sun

President Barack Obama sits in his limousine after arriving at Palm Springs International Airport, February 14, 2014 for weekend meetings with Jordans King Abdullah at the Sunnylands Estate. Michael Snyder/The Desert Sun

National Security Advisor Susan Rice pauses before getting into a limousine with President Barack Obama after arriving at Palm Springs International Airport, February 14, 2014. Michael Snyder/The Desert Sun

Tawfieq Mousa leads a group of Palestinian protestors at the Southeast corner of Gerald Ford Drive and Bob Hope Drive intersections in anticipation of the summit between the King of Jordan, Abdullah II and U.S. president Barack Obama on February 14, 2014. Omar Ornelas/The Desert Sun

A protestor for immigrant rights wears an Obama mask at the Southeast corner of Gerald Ford Drive and Bob Hope Drive intersections in anticipation of the summit between the King of Jordan, Abdullah II and U.S. president Barack Obama on February 14, 2014. Omar Ornelas/The Desert Sun

U.S. President Barack Obama departs Palm Springs International Airport aboard Air Force One on February 17, 2014 after a three day visit to the Coachella Valley in which he met King Abdullah II of Jordan at Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage. Omar Ornelas/The Desert Sun

Local journalist are bussed to a secure area to cover the departure of U.S. President Barack Obama from Palm Springs International Airport aboard Air Force One on February 17, 2014 after a three day visit to the Coachella Valley in which he met King Abdullah II of Jordan at Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage. Omar Ornelas/The Desert Sun

The "Beast" arrives with U.S. President Barack Obama at Palm Springs International Airport to depart on Air Force One on February 17, 2014 after a three day visit to the Coachella Valley in which he met King Abdullah II of Jordan at Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage. Omar Ornelas/The Desert Sun

U.S. President Barack Obama waves goodbye as he departs Palm Springs International Airport on February 17, 2014 after a three day visit to the Coachella Valley in which he met King Abdullah II of Jordan at Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage. Omar Ornelas/The Desert Sun

U.S. President Barack Obama waves goodbye as he departs Palm Springs International Airport on February 17, 2014 after a three day visit to the Coachella Valley in which he met King Abdullah II of Jordan at Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage. Omar Ornelas/The Desert Sun

Onlookers watch from a Palm Springs Air Museum parking lot as Air Force One nears the end of the runway and takes off on Monday, February 17, 2014 at Palm Springs International Airport in Palm Springs, Calif. after a four-day trip by President Barack Obama to the Annenberg Estate at Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage. Crystal Chatham/The Desert Sun

U.S. President Barack Obama departs Palm Springs International Airport aboard Air Force One on February 17, 2014 after a three day visit to the Coachella Valley in which he met King Abdullah II of Jordan at Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage. Omar Ornelas/The Desert Sun

Air Force One takes off on Monday, February 17, 2014 from Palm Springs International Airport in Palm Springs, Calif. after a four-day trip by President Barack Obama to the Annenberg Estate at Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage. Crystal Chatham/The Desert Sun

U.S. President Barack Obama waves goodbye as he departs Palm Springs International Airport on February 17, 2014 after a three day visit to the Coachella Valley in which he met King Abdullah II of Jordan at Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage. Omar Ornelas/The Desert Sun

First Lady Michelle Obama reaches down after a wind gust billowed her dress as she and President Barack Obama exit Air Force One at the Palm Springs International Airport, Friday, June 13, 2014. Michael Snyder/The Desert Sun

U.S. President Barack Obama waves goodbye as he departs Palm Springs International Airport on February 17, 2014 after a three day visit to the Coachella Valley in which he met King Abdullah II of Jordan at Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage. Omar Ornelas/The Desert Sun

President Barack Obama waves to the media while walking to meet with greeters after arriving aboard Air Force One at Palm Springs International airport, on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2015, in Palm Springs, Calif. Obama is spending President's Day weekend playing golf in the area. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Pena) Rodrigo Pena, AP

From left, Adriana Brady, Cyrus Parekh and Gabriela Moguera report for Kidscope Media during the departure of President Obama at the Palm Springs International Airport, Monday, February 16, 2015. , Jay Calderon/The Desert Sun

The wheels are retracted on Air Force One as it leaves Palm Springs, Calif. for Washington, D.C. on Monday, February 16, 2015 after President Barack Obama spent the weekend in Rancho Mirage. Crystal Chatham/The Desert Sun, Crystal Chatham/The Desert Sun

Pitney said he’s more inclined to believe that Obama will find work in the nonprofit sphere, particularly because she has seen firsthand the kind of political attacks Barack Obama has faced in the past eight years.

“She has been subject to some criticism, but not nearly as much as she would be if she were the candidate,” Pitney said. “That would not be an appealing prospect of having the alt-right going after you the way they went after Barack Obama.”

According to Politico, Obama hinted in June that her future would continue to focus on advocacy for girls’ education in countries where women have fewer rights.

“I am so excited to continue working on this issue not just for the next seven months as First Lady, but for the rest of my life,” she said at the United State of Women summit held at the White House over the summer.

Obama’s education work around the globe already has supporters rooting for her.

“Mrs. Obama has shown the kind of stamina and kind of force of will that Eleanor Roosevelt and Mrs. Clinton had,” said Elle Kurpiewski, an organizer for the Democratic Headquarters of the Desert. “There have been few first ladies who have made their mark like that, and I think I would put Michelle Obama in that category.”

The comparison to Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton comes up often – both were attorneys who turned to public service, both have traveled tirelessly working on behalf of their own initiatives and for the country. But to observers, Obama seems far less politically motivated than Clinton.

“When she says she doesn’t want to run, it’s hard to believe she’s not speaking from the heart,” said Howard Katz, chair of the Riverside County Democratic Party.

To Brower, the fact that Obama doesn’t want to run is what makes her more appealing to the electorate – she can speak more frankly and more genuinely than a politician, which resonates with a crowd.

“She hugs people a lot, she’s very relatable and she talks about being a working mom and growing up in a working class family. It’s all that stuff that adds to her being a likable person,” Brower said.

The one thing that does seem certain is that Obama will publish a book about her life and time in the White House in the same way that every first lady has since Rosalynn Carter.

According to Brower, Obama has already started her memoir, though it’s less clear if she has signed a deal with a publisher.

“She’s going to write a book and make a lot of money,” Brower said. “I think people will want to read her book more than the president’s book, and it has happened in the past where the first lady’s book has outsold her husband’s book.”

In the short-term, following a vacation in Palm Springs, the Obamas will stay in Washington, D.C. for at least two years, until their youngest daughter Sasha graduates from high school. Beyond that, the only one with any inkling of the future is Michelle Obama herself, and she might not even know yet.

In an interview with Vogue published last year, she promised to continue to lead a life of public service, but the rest is unclear.

“I will take the same approach leaving as I did coming in. I won’t know until I’m there,” Obama said to Vogue. “I’ve never been the former First Lady of the United States of America before.”